MLS Fantasy Round 17 Top Picks

With the new set of Major League Soccer fixtures approaching we take a look at the MLS Fantasy Round 17 top picks. X is full of some of the best fantasy managers in the world. Because of that we bring in expert @dmpwright to reel off some of the best options for the big round ahead.

Looking at the MLS Fantasy Round 17 top picks can be extremely useful to managers. Focusing on some of the best assets for the new week could help with some of the most important decisions in the game like transfers and captaincy.

Round 17

Thankfully the trainwreck that was Round 16 is finally behind us! We’re back to a normal SGW for Round 17 with one team (Portland) on a bye, although beware that several players are on international duty for EURO 2024 and the Copa America.

Top targets – Adilson Malanda, Charlotte FC – Defender, $8.2m

The Charlotte back line hasn’t featured nearly enough in these articles given their early‑season defensive performances – so I’m putting that right this week. Charlotte have the fourth-best defensive record in MLS based on xGA and Adilson Malanda is my pick for DC United’s visit on Saturday evening, although you could conceivably take Andrew Privett or Jere Uronen too.

Yes, Christian Benteke will pose a threat, although there are as yet unsubstantiated rumours that he may be carrying a knock. Either way, I’m expecting Malanda and Co. to keep it tight at Bank of America Stadium.

Carles Gil, New England Revolution – Midfielder, $13.5m

I tipped Carles Gil to do well against the New York Red Bulls and he duly delivered an 11‑point haul – better than any other player in Round 16. Granted, I’m expecting the high‑flying Vancouver Whitecaps to be a trickier prospect than a depleted Red Bulls side, but it looks like Gil really could be Fantasy viable again.

Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy – Midfielder, $14.9m

The LA Galaxy-Sporting Kansas City matchup feels like a case of unstoppable force meets movable object. The Galaxy have been on a roll so far this season and boast the sixth-best attack in the league, while Peter Vermes’ men look to be on a downward spiral, a 2-1 victory against Seattle in Round 16 notwithstanding. For that reason, I think you’ve got to have Riqui Puig this week.

Puig is fresh from signing a contract extension that will keep him in Los Angeles through 2027 and comes into this game off the back of three consecutive, double-digit Fantasy hauls, with his points average only bettered by four other players in MLS.

Cristian Arango, Real Salt Lake – Forward, $15.2m

Speaking of unicorns with a better Fantasy average than Riqui Puig, enter Chicho Arango. The Colombian, who hasn’t been called up for the Copa America, now boasts the joint third‑highest xG+xA in the league (0.92 per game) and while he has occasionally flattered to deceive in favourable matchups, I don’t think he can (or should) be overlooked when Real Salt Lake travel to Montreal, who continue to struggle under Laurent Courtois.

Differential – Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders – Forward, $8.3m

Can lightning strike twice? Jordan Morris is on his most prolific goalscoring run of the season, having netted three times in his last four appearances, including against Sporting Kansas City in the last round. While most managers will bet on Seattle defence this week (and with good reason), I wouldn’t be surprised to see Morris take advantage of a Minnesota side ranked third-worst in the league for xGA (2.01 per game) away from home.